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Around 300 abandoned guinea pigs were rescued from a filthy flat in Aachen over the weekend, according to the police.

The authorities had to break into the ground-floor apartment after the neighbours reported a horrible stink emanating from the place. The renter was not at home, but she had left hundreds of the fuzzy rodents to fend for themselves.

Rescue workers were able to gather 270 of the guinea pigs, however, they estimate at least another 30 are hiding the piles of rubbish in the flat. Police did not say how long the pet owner must have been gone, but in some rooms there were piles of guinea pig droppings 10 centimetres high.

Once all the animals are safe, the apartment will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. The police said they had yet to make contact with the woman responsible for the mess.